Are you listening?
Well, you certainly are listening to something.
The question is “what”?
What does it mean to listen and how is that different from hearing?
Hearing is a passive, involuntary, physical sense while listening is an active, voluntary, mental process.
The story is told of a plane that was landed by listening to a voice and it’s often associated with a dramatic testimony by Dr David Gibbs Jr.
A passenger is forced to fly (through a storm) and land a small plane after the pilot passes out. He is guided by an Air Traffic Controller in Alaska, having to trust the voice to navigate through clouds and safely land without prior flying experience.
Though some doubt the validity of this story, (there are many unanswered questions), I choose to see it as a powerful parable, a metaphor for spiritual obedience.
Let’s break it down
• the storm: this could be seen to represent the chaos, fear and confusion of life.
• The blind landing : just as the passenger could not see the runway, there’s many a time we cannot see the outcome, but must follow God’s leading knowing His promise in Jeremiah 29:11.
• The voice: this powerful phrase speaks volumes :”Listen to my voice”. We must listen for God’s voice over the many distractions of life.
• The cross: the controller instructs the passenger that the runway lights are in the shape of the cross. The message was and is to keep our eyes on the cross even when surrounded by fear.
• Trusting the unseen; the controller can see the plane even when the passenger cannot see the runway. Our God is El-Roi, He sees us. He guides us when we are blind to the future, as we often are. We need to trust His direction.
Listening is something we must be intentional about.
God is always speaking; through His word, the Spirit as well as circumstances , among others.
Intentional stillness and a receptive heart are necessary to hear Him.
What a wow!
We live in a dark, confusing world, full of pain, tears, fears, rejection, tragedies, you name it!
BUT GOD!
We are to fix our eyes on the Jesus, listen for God’s direction daily, trust Him and follow His leading.
Only then can we make it through to the very end.
God is good and His promises are true.
He will never leave nor forsake us.
Deuteronomy 31:6 NIV –
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Psalm 85:8 NIV –
I will listen to what God the LORD says;
he promises peace to his people, his faithful servants—
but let them not turn to folly.
Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; [6] in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
Be still and know that God is God.
He loves you and is your only sure hope in this crazy world.
Listen for Him!
He will see you through!
God bless you!
😊🙏🏽
